Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-12-24
What followed is so extraordinary that

guage with only two remarks. The sfew
hours notice was virtually no notice at
all, as. according to Mr.. SCOTS own
words, all the time was taken up with
clerical and official preparation. From
the ONE the awful news was com.
munlcated there vas no pause save for
the prayer of the minister, the reading of
the sentence, the binding for the scaffold
n the clasp of hands with friends. This
was all.
FIVE OF TIE RAIDERS EXECUTED.
We had often said to each other that no
matter who else might perish, Ross in
some way would escape by reason of his
high standing as a Mason. Probably
the following narrative shows better than
anything else the fearful resolution with
which this deed Of blood was carried
through. Mr.. Scott continues:
As We rose from our knees one OF them-I am
not sure at this late day whether Ross or Camp
beu-gavo me q Masonic signal which craftsmen
are only permitted to use In seasons Of supreme
peril. l recognized it instantly and took him
aside end satisfied myself that he was q 'son Of
light No one who has never been raised from q
dead level to a living perpendicular can appre-
ciate my feelings. Isaid with a ~faltering voice:
NJ brother, I will do what I can for you con.
sistently with my obligations to the government
to which I owe allegiance"
He replied: 81 ask for nothing more, w. ara
About to be executed with only a few hours
notice. We had no intimation Of it until you in.
formed US. Now, can you not prevail on the mil.
ltary authorities to respite US one or two dayss'
Ireplied: II will make an honest effort"
The other prisoners must have heard q portion
OF the conversation, for they seemed quite elated.
knew that l must act promptly, SO leaving
brother MacDonel to talk with them, I left tho
cell and went down into the front prison yard
where u squadron Of cavalry were already drawn
up. They had, l found. been waiting quietly for
our appearance. Col. ". J. Lawton had on that
day assumedc command of the post. He was All
old and highly esteemed personal friend. I told
MN what had transpired in the cell, and urged
him to respite them at least until the next day:
that to execute them on such short notice would
be utterly indefensibie; that he could easily cut
of all possibility Of escape. He was q man Of
generous impulses, and I saw he was greatly
troubled and perplexed. He replied:
Il agree to all you say. I would most gladly
afford them relief, but, T." he continued, my orders
are peremptory. lam required to execute them
today and have not the slightest discretion. If
disobey my orders am liable to be cashiered
and disgraced."
He proposed to show me his orders, but l told
him his statement was sufficient.
l was compelled to return and announce nv
failure. l was then asked II l would transmit
SSSAo w SsAN' - SAAtAo. 1 SAlu EtGlll
if the military authorities would allow it. They
then dictated their messages, brother MacDonell
writing three in his memorandum book and
writing four In mine. There were but slight
verbal differences iu their messages, and the fol.
lowing may be taken as a sample of the whole:
Il am to suffer death this afternoon for my
loyalty. am true to the old flag and trust in
iod's mercy for salvation"
The name of the party and number of his r-si.
men: was attached.
The messages were not sent because Of some
technical objections at the war department.
Immediately after this failure to get the
least respite in the memorable orders, the
officers read the sentence of the court
martial, which directed the hanging of
the accused "as soon us this order shall be
made public;' ''between the 18th and o2d
lays of June inst"
When this cruel clause was first in
serted, it was probably thought that all
the band would be convicted in the sam
manner, and then in one terrible hour all
would be swept away with no opportu-
nifty to leave any word behind! The re-
Iusal to send 4 harmless message to
iriends-a privilege that would not be dc
MED to the most infamous criminal
agrees with this view.
1t was the manner of death rather than
death itself which seemed so horrible to
our comrades us they took their last leave
of us. Most of them were also without
any clear hope beyond the grave. y. day.
even, to have sought divine favor would
have been 4 priceless boon. Wilson was
Il profcsscd unbclievcr, and many q time
had argued the truth Of the Christian re-
ligion with me half 4 day at a time: but
he said, "Pittinger. l believe you are
rjyht nnN-' try IN Ea hat TOW rr,roynl ,,Jo,,
you come to die than l am" | could
scarcely release his hand as he muttered,
God bless YOU" and turned away.
Shadrack was careless, generous and
merry, though often cxcitable, and some.
times profane. Now he turned to us with
Il forced calmncss of voice which was
more affecting than n wall OF agony :s
he said:
"Boys, I'm not prepared to meet my
Jesus
When asked by some Of us, whose tears
We're flowing fast, to think of heavenly
mercy, he answered, still in tones OF
thrilling calmness, "I'll try, I'll try, but
! know I'm not prepared"
Slavens, who was a man Of immense
strength and iron resolution, turned to
his friend BufPum and could only articu-
late, observation-disclosures utter
ance failed.
John Scott was well educated. and had
left a very pleasant home in Findlay, O.
Father and mother, brothers and sisters
have always been among the most re-
spected of the citizens there. He had
been married but three days before enlist
ing, and now the thought Of his young
and sorrowing wife nearly drove him to
despair. He could Only clasp his hands
in silent agony.
Campbell had a half smile on his strong
face, but it was terribly unreal, with no
light in it, as he pressed our hands, and
even muttered IN unconscious oath, say.
ing, Eyes, boys, this is - hard"
But Ross was q marvel and wonder to
Us all. 4 cloud had long seemed to rest
upon his spirits, but now completely rolled
away. All foreboding and fear were gone
in the presence Of the reality. Others
were bitterly and terribly disappointed
he was not. The gaunt specter he had 81
long faced came out of the shadow, ant
10! it was disrobed of all terror! He wa:
perfectly erect, with easy grace; there was
not a sign of dread, while his eye beamet
and whole face became radiant with the
martyrs joy. "Tell them at home" ht
said, in a clear, vibrating tone, "if any o.
you escape, that l died for my country
and did not regret it,"
Brown, Knight, Bufum, Mason and
myself-all that were left Of the Knox
vile party-were even more affected thar
our comrades, for we had not the awfu.
excitement of coming death to sustain us
Had there been a CLEAN of hope Of success;
how gladly would we have thrown our
selves on the guards and fought for the
lives of our brothers! But the officers an6
the guard filled the door and entry, while